Discussion: Catcher's verbal interference

Catcher's verbal interferenceBefore our game the other day, the umpire told our catcher that they couldn't say anything from the time the pitcher released the ball until it either hit the ground or the batter hit it. By doing so, it would constitute catcher's verbal interference and the batter would be awarded first base. Now, like most of us, I have been playing since I was old enough to walk and we all used to chatter during most every pitch. "Hey better, batter, SWING" was the norm. And that was when a little kid was trying to hit a pitch from another kid who had no idea where his pitch was going.

I agree with the umpire... I think the catcher saying anything from that direction can confuse the hitter to thinking the umpire might be saying something.. How about if the catcher is yelling no pitch from that direction.. Anyway, I think it's bush to be saying anything to the hitter while catching and the ball is in play! IMO

I agree. I have experienced this more often in non-senior league play. The one time it happened in a senior tournament, the umpire did not call anything. I think he did not know what to call as it happens so infrequently. It it hard to ignore, especially if you/your team isn't hitting the ball well. Easy for it to get under your skin. Is there a written Senior League SSUSA rule about it?

Smart umpire. I think the rule is discretionary
and some umps let it go until it crosses some unclear boundary of propriety. By making it an absolute all discretion is out the window and talking by the catcher is interference. As a practical matter I would as that ump call it after the swing so the batter gets first no matter what, but gets more if he hits it. Giving the guy 1st after he is out will end all talk quickly. Some argue chatter is part of the game and ok until that unclear boundary is crossed. I prefer the absolute position taken by the ump in question.

It clearly States (at least in NSA) that verbal interference can be called not only at the plate, but by base coaches and opposing teams members on the field or on the bench....If in the umpires judgement it is an effort to confuse or batters or base runners.

Just to clarify, it was in a co-ed league, a female was catching and she was saying "there it is" as the pitch was coming in. This has been allowed for many years by all the umpires and suddenly it is verbal interference?

Come on, Catcher shouldn't be saying anything while the pitched ball is in air... I say umpire is back there and that's the first thing a hitter would be thinking from that direction! If I'm umping, I'm calling it a ball or a first base award!

I don't have a problem with talk from the catcher. I'll talk to the catcher some times, other times not. Imo it's part of the game. I do believe it can get out of hand and if it does the umpire should warn the catcher.
How about talk from the pitcher? I known several that try to influence the batter... Again, part of the game.

As long as the catcher is not yelling then I don't care. The ones that bother me are when the umpire and the catcher are carrying on a conversation. I usually step out of the box and just look at them. Being a smart a$$, I tell them to let me know when they are done so I can hit a HR, because I did not want them to miss it. Usually, it gets a laugh or something else, either way it tends to work.

What happened to the days of accepted methods of handling problems on the field? Catcher a problem, nothing an elongated warm-up back swing won't cure. Runner coming into second standing up, a little imprint on the forehead that says Dudley should do the trick. Player on the other team mouthing off, then everybody hits at him till he stops....and I mean everybody. About the second or third error and it will be quiet as church.

So now in these days we need softball marshalls to hold up a sign and keep the crowd quiet? Ushers to lead fans to their seats so as not to create movement and distract the players? If a player yells cut does that now mean there is an odiferous waff of offensive air on the way and they must now warn everyone?

Sorry southernson, I just don't accept that hitting a 70 y/o catcher is an acceptable procedure to shut him up. Swing makes a valid point distinguishing when the ball is in the air.
To me that is where absolute silence from the catcher should be the rule. Banter by the catcher before the pitch is perhaps best left to the umpire's discretion when it "goes over the line".
Unfortunately, umps don't like discretionary power and don't act. Therefore, I still go with the absolute.

I'm with HJ,,, and any of us that have played this game know that it's total Crap for a catcher to make any noise while the batter is in the process of hitting or the pitch has been delivered and in play.. I wouldn't let this get to me as the batter, however could see how this would screw some people up... I don't even care if the ump calls illegal pitch while i'm hitting if it's something in my zone I'm letting it fly.. Anyone, that plays that way as a Catcher, is truly a Tool in my book.

perhaps we need to have a list of Prima Donnas and when one come sto bat a public address announcer can say Prima Donna coming to the plate slience please----come on guys it is a game and we as seniors should just be thankful we can still play---I certainbly hope a catcher does not sneeze or even take a deep breath

During a game in Vegas last year, we were getting beat pretty badly. Our #4 hitter had 2 strikes, a pitch came in.....catcher said "too high", batter thought ump said it, he was called out on strikes. Who do you think was the Prima Donna there steve65?
A catcher talks during the pitch, only if they want to be noticed.

Cal 50, Umpire should of called it right there... Steve 65, at 65 you should play the game with class, if you think it's ok for catcher verbal interference I'm glad you are 15 years out of my division!

swing I certainly am glad to be 15 years out of your division---first my age group was taught CONCENTRATION if you concentrate outside interference is not heard--class you say if you knew me you would learn something about class-- I don't know you but respect your right to make absurd statements----and age allows me to just feel good about doing something I enjoy perhaps you will be fortunate enough to still give 110 percent as I do at even an advanced age--

Steve, your last post implies that there should not be any verbal interference.
1. How about yelling slide when the runner doesn't have to in an attempt to stop him from taking the next base?
2. How about yelling infield fly when the umps don't and the ball will fall fair?
3. How about yelling no play when the outfielder has a play.
It is interesting that the guy who says we should
just concentrate put this in a post recently:
"except once when I slid accidentally at home plate in Columbus In(sic) this year--had a senior moment and forgot where I was ...."
I guarantee you if I were a catcher and their were no rules on verbal interference or unsportsmanlike conduct, my big mouth would break your concentration. Why encourage what I think is just bad behavior?

cal50--hate to burst the bubble but I do not hear the umpire---most that know me would tell you umpire calling high pitch is mute point as I have swung and am on my way toward first base--I am just amazed to have been attacked over my age for stating my opinion--hehehehe

heck HJ if I said I accidentally slid at home plate at Columbus I lied--I slid intentionally----point is we are human and mistakes are made by everyone but to need a rule as to catcher talking is a joke---HJ how many 65s coming to Barberton this year??

steve65...burst my bubble? Very odd statement. I would think that you are in the minority that you tunnel focus so much that you do not hear other relevant sounds.

I am curious as to why you think a catcher should be able to verbally interfere? I see the only reason that a catcher attempts to do so is that he is trying to be cute. I think it is the early day punkness coming out of them.

I got news for you Steve 65,,, there is a rule and it says no player may distract a hitter or fielder!!!! so a catcher acting like a punk,tool,slime ball,jerk,classless ballplayer can be ejected! End of Story,, it's up to the umpire to enforce. it's an ASA rule..

Swing you are sounding like Gary19 now--- an ASA rule on SSUSA message board---haha--gentlemen look where we are--duh a SENIOR softball message board---why do people take themselves so seriously----I hope all of you youngsters can still be playing at my age and then you will see how goofy it was to get so up in arms over a catcher talking----incidentally us "old" guys handed our "young" teammates an 8 run lead at TOC all star game which they ended up losing--what does that tell you----Cal I am not advocating a catcher or anyone else being allowed to verbally interfere I am just saying it really doesn't hurt anything unless someone is looking for an excuse---

well Cal I went back and reread the entire post about half way through I found your comment interjecting the tournament--it started as a co ed league game--I can only speak for myself and what i have seen heard and/or done--first I have never heard an umpire say to high they say illegal---secondly neither the umpire or catcher have any bearing into what i can or cannot hit--if I feel I can hit it I swing even if I hear illegal--look at it from another angle--runner going into second and rounds the bag guys in dugout watching the ball yelling for him to hold second base--runner watching third baseman down the line toward home plate with no chance to reverse and get back to third to take the throw guess what I do not heed advice from dugout and brush dirt off my pants as I stand safely on third base---oh yeah I am smiling at the time because I am happy to still be playing

Come on Steve answer my question... G19, Really! I like our game of SS!!!! Don't know what you mean about the youngsters thing... At your age Steve I will be happy to still be alive, let alone playing... Good luck to you this year.. hope you distract enough hitters to make yourself feel good about your game.. cheers

Swing I hope you realize that I am sitting south of Louisville and it is cold and wet and I am wishing we could be out hitting someplace since that cannot happen I choose to have some fun baiting some of you guys---I know you all have valid points on most issues and I generally don't say anything but occassionally the devil makes me try to stir you up---every morning I get up and walk out to pick up my paper its dark (5:30) and I look at the sky and give my thanks that i can still play a kids game--in the obits there are many my age and younger that no longer have that opportunity and now I think I bet all of them would be glad to hear a catcher talk--and swing would you rather I address you as 46/36 haha

Steve, don't know about Barberton because I play
with Huff n Puffers and not in the Silver League.
I play indoor winter with all Silver Leaguers and they are wonderful to play with, helpful and welcomed the outsider (me) from near Cleveland.
The sportmanship of the Silver Leaguers is exemplary and none of them would pull the verbal
BS mentioned in a number of posts above. Some of us just believe it is not appropriate-end of story.

Swing, that's pretty funny comIng from a guy (you) that was pulled from first base in the middle of an inning because he was so bad.

In the outfield....I'll outplay you all around as a four man outfielder/player.

In a three man your speed will outplay me.

As a pitcher you could not hang with me.

As an infielder you wouldn't hang with me.

As a singles hitter you wouldn't hang with me.

As a power hitter you wouldn't hang with me....

Since your team never plays a three man...I guess this means I'd start over you on your team. Bat in front of you and be an infielder before you....
And this is. It saying I am great...it's saying....your not...

you are still delushional Timmy, but keep costing your team world championships.. if you play anywhere past the bench during defensive moments you will cost your team being selfish as you are like you did last world championship when you dropped a simple line drive that cost your team.. Just saying!

Ad hominum attacks and barbs hijack threads distract interest and are just wrong. Please stop it. Maybe start a thread "Tim and Swing" and use that one for this stuff and keep it out of substantive threads.

At Milwaukee this last weekend the opposing catcher yelled FOUL on a drive hit down the line. Our batter & baserunner on 1st heard that call come from the direction of the umpire and stopped running on what turned out to be a fair ball, advancing only to 1st & 2nd when they otherwise would have made it to 2nd & 3rd.

We complained that should have been ruled verbal interference, but the umpire said there had to be "intent" on the part of the catcher. I said it's impossible to read a player's mind and the ump said that proves his point, but I take the opposite meaning. If a baserunner physically gets in the way of a defensive player fielding a grounder, is it interference only if the baserunner did it on purpose?

Being half deaf, I rarely hear anything from the catcher and a lot of times don't hear illegal pitch calls that an umpire makes too softly, let alone catcher's banter, so I don't have to worry about that-thank goodness. But,ChiPrimeMarty brings up a situation that I would, as an umpire, jump into immediately. When a catcher calls foul loud enough that the runners stop and it is a fair ball, I would stop the play and award the bases I felt the runners would have made without the call and warn the catcher, on threat of ejection, that a repeat of that action would not be tolerated. You just cannot determine, in the middle of the play, that it might have been the catcher, rather than the umpire that made that call. Chatter and banter have always been a part of the game. But if it changes the play, it should be dealt with. Come on, we've played this game for 40, 50 or more years. We know what's pushing the envelope on this.

Come on guys, really? I NEVER thought I'd agree with Tim but here it is. The ball IS coming in at 7 MPH. If you like it, hit it hard. Or don't. But blaming a catcher, REALLY? Arnie with Rated Athletics will have a full out conversation with you, and every pitch is a great one. Just ask him LOL Sorry, but this IS slow pitch softball

at our age, a lot us are easily distracted , BUT it should not be a problem. the batter is supposed to be focusing on the pitch, and a catcher making noise is not a big deal. if the catcher is screaming, that could be a diff story, the ump should get it stopped. my .03 c .

Double 10 : yep ! understand that terry p. suffered limited damage to his home during this last tornado . maybe it's time to consider moving, if there is such a place one might consider moving to that might be safe from nature's fury.

Yesterday at the USSSA Conference tourney in Marietta an umpire warned a catcher not to say no pitch. The UIC told the field umpire a player couldn't call out the batter's name, number, say foul ball or no pitch.

I can possible see name number unless its for the scorekeepers records. But foul ball or no pitch. ??? These so and so's are wrecking the game. All the ups do is stand there and point, that sure helps the fielders know there the ball landed if close. Let lone get out there from behind the plate to make calls.

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